United has high hopes for Boeing737 MAX 9 fuel efficiency

United Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

The new aircraft, which arrived right after Earth Day, is touted to reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions significantly compared with older generation aircraft. With this in mind, United has given the MAX a new livery, similar to its fuel-efficient Boeing Dreamliner aircraft, so that employees and customers can easily recognise the plane “and its superior fuel efficiency”.

United expects to take delivery of two more 737 MAX 9 aircraft this month, and will have 10 737 MAX 9 aircraft by the end of 2018. The aircraft will enter United's schedule on June 7 with service between the airline's hub at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and five cities – Anchorage, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Orlando, FL. and San Diego.

The aircraft will operate on additional routes from Houston and Los Angeles International Airport starting June 29.